Anti lock brake dash light and traction control light?

[PontiacPrincess]

We are about to have our 2000 Bonneville inspected. My husband is wondering about the anti lock brake and traction control dash lights. They trac off light and anto lock light have been on constant since we bought the car and he is wondering if this is normal or if it means they are not functioning right? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[ZLTFUL]

This means that they are not functioning due to (most likely) one of the wheel speed sensors being bad.

[Archon]

I agree. A scan with a Tech II or similar scanner will pin-point the problem.

[Ken_W]

Just to add to what was written above...

The wheel speed sensor is the most common cause of what you describe. There is one attached to each of the front wheel hubs, so to replace the sensor you also replace the hub (they cannot be separated). This is really not a big deal. Dealerships will charge top dollar for this, but you can save money by buying your own hub (formal name is "wheel bearing") and having it installed at an auto repair shop. Or, if you know someone who works on cars, it is doable by a home mechanic also. It is a very common, routine procedure.

To find out if your problem is indeed speed sensor related, you can get your car's onboard diagnostic module scanned. The diagnostic module stores trouble codes that the car reports when there is a problem, and this is how you can zero in on the source. Almost every reputable mechanic will be able to do this, or you can also get it done for free at some chain parts stores (AutoZone for certain, others do this also but I'm not sure which ones).

A new hub itself can range from $60 (on eBay) to $150 (for a good one at a parts store). Dealerships will charge even more. The other cost will be labor, which will range from free to $200, depending upon who does the work. Again, dealerships charge the most for labor. Since this is a common procedure, there is no special knowledge that a dealer will have here versus any other repair shop.

If a scan reveals that your wheel speed sensor is indeed bad, replacing the affected hub should solve your problem and return the system to normal. If the source is something else, the scan will let you know that as well.

Ken_W

[sm in Georgia]

Mine is same way - abs and brake light on, trac light shows off

Shop told me $800 for them to replace - not happening

but it also means no abs - which I learned to drive without, and have only actually used ABS once and I thought the car was possessed (it was a rental up in New Jersey)

[Ryno02]

I've got the same issue. I took my car to one of the repair shops around here and they said it could be faulty wiring in the right rear. Checked it and it looked good. Sooo, I'm gonna order a replacement wheel hub for back there to see if that fixes it on Rock Auto. Alldatadiy.com has a pretty good procedure outline, and there is a techinfo article on the front ones.

[PontiacPrincess]

Mine is same way - abs and brake light on, trac light shows off

Shop told me $800 for them to replace - not happening

but it also means no abs - which I learned to drive without, and have only actually used ABS once and I thought the car was possessed (it was a rental up in New Jersey)

{Husbad here}
Really if it wasn't for the inspection I wouldn't care about it. I learned to drive in a non ABS car.. Every car we've owned up to this one didn't have ABS. I actually prefer no ABS.

I'm just not sure if it will fail inspection with that light on.

[Ryno02]

i'll find out tomorrow. my plates expired in august. havent been able to renew because of SES light i finally took care of and this *dang* stabilcrap/abs light being on. if it fails, at least i'll have a piece of paper saying i tried, lol. which prob wont matter to most cops.

[quicksilver]

Having an abs light on would not fail your inspection, but in my case i had the light on too, but it is because one of my rear wheel hubs are shot and i need to replace it. Haven't got to it yet but that is the source of the problem, you can check this by jacking the car up and shaking the wheels in and out of the fender. If you can visibly see them move this may be your problem as well.

[Ryno02]

yeah, shortly before my trans went out again, they failed me not on the abs light but BOTH front hubs/bearings(and tie rod ends). thats at least something I can do, but it has to wait.